(Photo: AFP)BRUSSELS - The European Union and some member states reacted sharply Wednesday to US sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European commissioner Thierry Breton. A statement from the Commission said: “We have requested clarifications from the US authorities and remain engaged. “Our digital rules ensure a safe, fair and level playing field for all companies, applied fairly and without discrimination,” it added. Breton, the former top tech regulator at the European Commission, often clashed with tech tycoons such as Elon Musk over their obligations to follow EU rules. ‘Intimidation and coercion’German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul wrote in a post on X Wednesday: “The DSA was democratically adopted by the EU for the EU –- it does not have extraterritorial effect.

Source: Bangkok Post December 24, 2025 21:06 UTC